eigentlich vs tatsächlich
German word comparison
Listen to eigentlich
Listen to tatsächlich
| eigentlich | tatsächlich |
|---|---|
EI-gen-lich adverb | TAHT-zakh-lich adverb |
| actually; in fact; really | actually; in fact; as a matter of fact |
How they differ
"Tatsächlich" is more factual and objective than "eigentlich". It is used when you want to confirm that something is really true or really happened, while "eigentlich" can also express a more abstract sense like "actually" in the sense of "in fact" or "what I really mean."
When to use each
When to use eigentlich: Use "eigentlich" when you mean "actually" in a broader, more conversational way, especially for intentions, questions, or contrasts.
When to use tatsächlich: Use "tatsächlich" when you want to stress that something is genuinely true or surprising in reality.
Side-by-side examples
- Eigentlich wollte ich früh nach Hause gehen.
(Actually, I wanted to go home early.) - Tatsächlich wollte ich früh nach Hause gehen.
(In fact, I wanted to go home early.)
Register & nuance: "Tatsächlich" is neutral to slightly formal and is common in both speech and writing.